You Will Advance Against My People Isra'el

Like a Cloud that Covers the Earth

Ezeki'el 38: 14-16

DIG: Is Isra'el really living in
safety? Who is really behind the attack? What is the ultimate goal of Adonai ELOHIM?
How does His goal
differ from Gog's goal?

Here the invasion is seen as having already begun, and further answers the
question as to why, but this time it is seen from God’s point of view.

The initial invasion against Isra'el begins and the alliance covers the land like
a cloud. As a result, Russia will initially be successful. But without
knowing it, Adonai ELOHIMwill put hooks in the jaws of the invading force and reel them in to
destruction (Ezeki'el 38:4) so that He might be glorified in the eyes of
the Gentile nations. This is not a set-up, however. God does not force innocent people into
rebellion. He allows them to be destroyed by their own sin.

Nowhere in the Bible can it be found that the LORD
places in the heart of mankind any evil purpose. He is
the Promoter of good and never evil. The TaNaKh always presents Him as ruler of all. Thus it is stated the
He will
bring the alliance against His own Land. They will be destroyed because
of the wickedness that already existed in their own hearts. Adonai ELOHIM will merely use it
for His own glory. It is like the heart of Thutmose III, Pharaoh at the time of
the exodus. God did not implant pride and stubbornness into the heart of the
Egyptian king, but He used the wickedness of Pharaoh’s own heart to glorify
Himself and redeem Hispeople. Just as circumstances lay bare the evil of
mankind, so the same conditions reveal the holiness of the LORD.

GodHimself speaks to Gog, the leader of the
alliance. Therefore, son of man, or Ezekiel, prophesyto Gog
and say to him: This is what Adonai ELOHIM says. The
phrase son of man introduces a new section. It is important to remember the
emphatic repetition of the fact that Isra'el will be living in imagined security.
In that day, when My people Israel are living in safety, will you not take
notice of it (Ezeki'el 38:14)? Also, do not fail to notice the phrase My people,
here and in verse 16, and the phrase My Land in verse 16. The godless alliance
will have little understanding how involved the King of kings is in all that concerns
His people and His Land. The godless have been, are, and always will
be unaware of it. But that will all change when the LORDfinally decides to
intervene decisively into world affairs to save Hispeople Isra'el.134

Once again, Ezekiel is unfamiliar with modern warfare and describes the invading
force with the only words he knows how to use. You will come from your place in
the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a
great horde, a mighty army (Ezeki'el 38:15).

You will advance against My people Isra'el like a cloud
that covers the land. That is the purpose of the massive invasion. In
days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against My Land, so that the Gentile
nations may know Me when I show Myself holy through you before their eyes
(Ezeki'el 38:16). Adonai ELOHIM will be
shown to be holy, or set apart, by His actions against Gog and the alliance.
Therefore, while Gog will have his purpose, to plunder and loot,
YHVH will have
His purpose, to show Himself holy among the Gentile nations.